October was an absolute blur of fun Fall festivities. We’ve never hit the Halloween scene so hard and created some super fun memories. The kids both dressed up as police officers (something they decided on months ago and never wavered from their choice) so, like we do… Jeff and I followed suit with filling the roll of the robbers to complete the 2023 Kladder Costume: Cops & Robbers. Felt ironically perfect seeing as I’m not employed by a bank.
We debuted our costumes at the Zoo Goes Boo event with the entire Kladder Fam at John Ball Zoo. The weather turned out perfect (it had been raining all day but then stopped 5 minutes after our arrival) and, even better news, the animals were super lively! It was a family first to be the party ‘animals’ who closed down the joint - we were asked by security to leave because the zoo was closing! The kids collected not just candy but other random items as well, like pop tarts - which are definitely not a good as I remember them being.
Last weekend we traded in the robber costumes for something much cooler… man… at The Mays second annual Halloween House Party - such a riot!!
Rewind to October 1st when the weather was oddly still in the 80s and we accidentally-on purpose decided to visit Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm for apple and pumpkin picking… but then ended up skipping all that because we were all too hot and tired by the time the kids got done playing. We left the farm and immediately jumped into the neighbors pool.
Have no fear, later that weekend I took the kids to Fresh Thyme grocery store where they were happy as pie to select their giant gourds for carving. Jeff helped the kids cut out their visions - Natalie chose an incredibly difficult cat stencil that I did my best (for Jeff’s sake) to temper down to a much simpler format while Thomas went with a traditional jack-o-lantern face. I think carving out the guys of pumps are gross and I’m grateful for Jeff in being the hero on this one.
Gingerbreak making is much more my style and lucky for us… Grandma got the kids TWO haunted gingerbread kits as part of their Halloween baskets this year. You heard that right, Halloween baskets - because baskets full of candy and little toys isn’t just for Easter anymore according to my Mom.
At the office, Mercantile fully flexed its holiday happiness muscles with the extreme display of spooky potluck items. I contributed some green deviled eggs and ate way too many homemade baked goods - which is both the best and worst part about my new office. There are sweet treats weekly just waiting for me to nibble at them. I cannot wait to see what happens during Christmas time! In the meantime I’ve started taking the stairs more often.
And how about that snowfall Halloween day, eh?! What a surprise! Despite the chilly weather, the trick-or-treaters still came out in the hundreds to the Ottawa Hills Neighborhood. We handed out three full Costco sized bags of candy. There was, however, a moment there where we had a lull and I got worried so amped up my portion size to 2-3 pieces each, but then got worried about running out and dialed it back to one each… and then I got cold at the end so with 10 minutes left in the game I all but dumped the rest into the last couple kids pillow sheets! Our kids had a blast and stayed out for nearly the entire time this year. They said the only reason they stopped before 8p is because their hands here cold.
Football & futbol have been consistent themes this last month… Go Blue! Go Lions! And go MFA Revolution! Thomas played his last fall soccer game for a hilariously muddy win over Alliance FC. Futsol begins in two weeks which means we get to slow down a bit with only one practice per week. Thomas was moved up to the Black (A) Team which is super exciting but also interesting because he’s never played futsol before - which I’ve learned is the same a soccer, but indoors on a smaller court with street shoes using a slightly smaller ball that’s weighted. From all our soccer expert friends we’re told is a great way for him to learn foot skills. This Koolaid tastes super good.
Thomas continues doing well at school and has recently validated that he is, in fact, a true Kladder because any free time he has is spent playing (and asking others to play) games with him. Yahtzee is the current favorite and 9 times out of 10 he can get Jeff to say ‘yes’.
Natalie, too, has been doing well at school and continues to love her weekly gymnastics and piano lessons. She also wrapped up her second season of GRCS cheerleading which she really seems to love. Her class went on their second field trip of the year to Camp Roger (where she has gone to summer camp the last two years) for a day outdoors. They learned how to make mini campfires and caught salamanders.
The kids both participated again they fall in the GRCS Eagle Dash. All the kids raised money for the PTO who then uses funds to support special projects throughout the school year like fee-free field trips like the one Natalie went on a few weeks ago, or new playground gear. It’s also just a fun time for the kids who get bussed to the high school football field and run laps to music with all their friends.
It may go without saying, but I’ll do it anyway, watching Michigan dominate on the football field has been wonderful for the moral of our household. The Wolverines winning has instigated more watch parties with our Calvin Christian High School crew which has been great. With the kids getting just a little bit older it’s easier to keep them out past their bedtime without the negative effects.
For the third year in a row I co-chaired the Grace’s Gala benefitting Grace’s Table at the Downtown Market where we raised more than $86,000 in support of teen moms. It was my third and last year as chair & emcee as I’ll be stepping down from the Board of Directors at the end of December. I’m extremely proud to have been a part of this hard working board and plan to continue my support of the organization as a guest at next years gala and everywhere in between. And as one door closes… two more have swung wide open! I’ve recently joined two committees: one for Broadway Grand Rapids focusing on community accessibility and another for Habitat for Humanity Kent County to help drive their 2024 Imagine Campaign.
And last, but certainly not least, Jeff and I officially passed our 10 year wedding anniversary marker this week. Back in September we took a trip just the two of us to France as our big hoorah, but there’s nothing quite like passing the actual date of your wedding 10 years later. Younger me had so many hopes and dreams in mind for what life would look like come this time but now that I’m here, I kind of wish mid-30s Nichole would whisper to early 20s Nichole and say, “Think bigger. It’s even better than what you’re imagining.” Jeff is by far the best decision I’ve ever made in life. We’ve built a life together that’s filled with the ‘good stuff’ and by the grace of God I’ll work each day to remember our blessings and give back each time we are called.
Last weekend we got an extra special visitor who stayed with us and spoiled the kids like a good ‘auntie’ does… Cassie, one of my oldest friends and the maid of honor from our wedding, drove in from Chicago to hang out and catch up. We took a gorgeous Fall walk into Gaslight village and did a little shopping, grabbed happy hour with Amanda (another old friend who was also in our wedding), dined out at Terra GR (which was SO, SO wonderful by the way) and enjoyed some nice bottles of red wine. Cassie is that sort of friend who despite the lack of time between connecting, when we do it’s like we never stopped - we always pick right back up where we left off.
As the weather continues to cool off and we head into the best time of the year, we’re getting ready for another round of holiday filled fun. I’ve started shopping for gifts, the Christmas cards are ordered and (probably my most impressive accomplishment yet) I’ve got ALL of our babysitters booked for parties in December. Until next time… peace and love!
